Principles for Problem Solving in the Organizational Hologram

Abstract

All too often the essential management task of problem solving is reduced to the subproblem of rationally selecting a preferred alternative from among a set of alternatives. The subproblem of choosing an alternative, known as decision making in the decision theory literature, has one major drawback: it tends to ignore the raison d’etre for problem solving which is to make something happen and to get the desired results. After all, as Peter Drucker emphasizes in The Effective Executive, the job of the executive is to be effective and not just clever. The purpose of problem solving is to improve effectiveness. If following a rational problem solving procedure helps accomplish it, that is all for the best. But whenever the procedures of problem solving take precedence over the need for effective action, then they are likely to be counterproductive.